The yuletide season has witnessed a golden act of charity in Phoenix where an anonymous donor dropped a half-ounce gold coin into a Salvation Army kettle. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the coin, donated at the Salvation Army's Ray & Joan Kroc Center, has a face value of $25, but is far more valuable, with an appraisal value of $1,310. Accompanying the coin was a letter wishing that "this gold help the people in need during the Christmas season. Bless you all."
Though donations have been in decline, found in the Red Kettle, the coin's significant value gave a notable boost to the organization's holiday fundraising efforts. In reporting the downturn, 12 News noted that the Kroc Center's Red Kettle donations this year have seen an 18 percent decrease compared to the previous year.
This act of generosity comes at a time when every cent holds weight, especially since the Salvation Army estimates that approximately 84 cents of every donated dollar are funneled directly into local programs and services. "We witness extraordinary acts of kindness and giving year-round, and this incredible donation is certainly no exception," Captain Dustin Rowe, Kroc Center Corps Officer, told FOX 10 Phoenix in his appreciation for the golden donation.
The Ray & Joan Kroc Center, located near the crossroads of Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard and 14th Street, offers a wide range of community-centric programs, from sports to arts and crafts, which, due to the donation, continue to serve the local population. For those wishing to contribute, the Salvation Army has highlighted that donations are tax-deductible, with a maximum state tax credit of $470 for individuals and $938 for married couples, as mentioned by FOX 10 Phoenix.
